Second son of Old Master Xue, a skilled carpenter. He spent his whole life stepping aside for others, quietly giving without asking for anything in return. Five years before the current events, he accompanied his elder brother Xue Qingshan to the prefectural city for the yuan exam. While there, Xue Qingshan offended the wrong people, and Xue Qingsong was beaten within an inch of his life while trying to protect him. He died a few days later, and on his deathbed made Xue Qingshan promise to support Xue Gouzi's education, hoping to redirect family resources away from always favoring the eldest branch.
